US 12,248,002 B2
Constant force ultrasound probe handle
Daniel R. Sturnick, New York, NY (US)
Assigned to NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF THE RUPTURED AND CRIPPLED, MAINTAINING THE HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY, New York, NY (US)
Filed by New York Society for the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled, maintaining the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY (US)
Filed on Aug. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/878,562.
Application 17/878,562 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/472,006, granted, now 11,399,800, previously published as PCT/US2017/067691, filed on Dec. 20, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/436,949, filed on Dec. 20, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0016204 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. G01R 1/067 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); G01R 31/28 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 1/067 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4209 (2013.01); G01R 31/2886 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A probe that is configured for placement against and for movement along a body of interest and is configured to control and minimize compressive forces induced by the probe on the body of interest, the probe comprising:
a probe handle portion comprising an outer probe housing;
a probe head portion that is movably disposed within the outer probe housing, the probe head portion having a first end that defines a contact surface for placement along the body of interest, the probe head portion further having an integral extension that protrudes outwardly therefrom a second end of the probe head portion that is opposite the first end; and
at least one constant force spring that is coupled to the outer probe housing and is directly coupled to and in contact with the probe head portion and configured to apply a force to the probe head portion in a distal direction for maintaining the probe in position against a surface of interest during examination thereof, while permitting axial movement of the probe head portion within the outer probe housing;
wherein the constant force spring comprises at least one rolled ribbon spring that is wound about at least one pulley that is coupled to the extension of the probe head portion and moves axially together with the probe head portion within and relative to the outer probe housing;
wherein the at least one constant force spring is located directly below the probe head portion and is contained within and surrounded by the outer probe housing.